Assistant Building Official

Assistant Building Official

Build Your Future with the City of Boca Raton! At the City of Boca Raton, a career in public service is more than a job — it's your chance to make a meaningful impact in a vibrant and sustainable coastal community. Driven by our core values of Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Trust, we are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel appreciated, inspired, and supported.

Why Boca Raton? As the second largest city in Palm Beach County, the City of Boca Raton offers robust benefits to their employees:

• Health Insurance Benefits: No-cost employee Medical, Dental & Vision plans
• Generous Paid Time Off: 12 paid holidays + vacation, sick, and 3 floating holidays
• Continuous Service Benefit: Paid out annually after 5 years of service
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedule
• Retirement Plans: Two pension/retirement options to choose from

Whether you're starting out or looking to take your public service career to the next level, the City of Boca Raton offers the tools, resources, and culture to help you succeed. Apply now and join the city that's building careers and shaping a stronger tomorrow!

Essential Functions

• Assists the Chief Building Official in the daily management of the division and serves as the Building Official in their absence
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the building plan review and inspection processes under the supervision and direction of the Chief Building Official.
• Enforces the laws, ordinances, and codes relating to the construction and alteration of buildings as delegated by the Chief Building Official.
• Reviews and evaluates building plans for compliance with all applicable codes, including for the most complex multi-story development.
• Processes Certificates of Completion and notices of violation related to construction.
• Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of subordinates' activities.
• Communicates with and responds to inquiries from members of the public and staff regarding all aspects of applicable code requirements, review and inspection processes, and application comments in a timely and professional manner.
• Investigates complaints regarding all aspects of the building permit process, including plan review and inspection activities, and makes appropriate recommendations to the Chief Building Official as required.
• Prepares evidence and testify in code violation cases.
• Assists the Chief Building Official in maintaining professional relationship and communicating with Federal, State, and local officials to promote uniform interpretation and enforcement of laws and regulations.
• Assists the Chief Building Official in recommending amendments and additions to City Codes related to Building Codes and Inspections.
• Participates at the Emergency Operations Center during emergency situations and assists the Chief Building Official in implementing preparedness and recovery plans.
• Utilizes related business systems, including software related to inspections, plan review, and communication. Demonstrates ability to learn evolving technologies.
• Communicates with and responds to inquiries from the general public and staff regarding all aspects of applicable code requirements, review and inspection processes, and application comments in a timely and professional manner.
• Acts as a staff representative on building division matters before the special magistrate, City Council, Community Appearance Board, Planning and Zoning Board, the Palm Beach County Community Rating System Committee, and other boards, including the preparation of written reports and oral presentations, as necessary.
• Applies regulations and codes in an appropriate and consistent manner.

Related tasks:

• Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence on building code inspection compliance matters.
• Presents cases to Builder's Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
• Coordinates plan review activities with the Permitting/Licensing section.
• Supervises and evaluates subordinate employees in a professional manner.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of plan review and inspection issues relating to building, electrical, and plumbing code enforcement.
• Knowledge of building, construction, engineering, and structural engineering principles and practices; comprehensive knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws regarding building code enforcement.
• All types of building construction, building construction materials, construction methods and at least one area of technical expertise in either the structural, electrical, mechanical or plumbing fields.
• City and State building codes and related laws and ordinances.
• Standard office practices, procedures, software, and equipment.
• Business English, spelling, and commercial arithmetic.

Skilled in:

• Technical reading comprehension, understanding written sentences, schematics, and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Active listening, giving full attention to what others are saying, understanding the points made, asking questions as needed, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
• Service orientation, providing support and assistance as needed, ensuring inquiries, concerns, and administrative needs are addressed efficiently and effectively.
• Time management, efficiently organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and allocating time for duties.
• Communication, clearly articulating information to non-technical individuals and groups to ensure mutual understanding, resolve differences, refer customers to appropriate resources, and build trust and maintain relationships.
• Active learning, continually learning and practicing staying up to date with current codes, standards, requirements, and evolving technologies.

Ability to:

• Supervise and evaluate the work subordinates
• Detect poor workmanship, inferior materials and hazards that endanger life and property.
• Read, understand and interpret building codes and to assist in the evaluation of building permit application documents for compliance with those codes.
• Communicate effectively and maintain professional relationships with building owners, contractors, other city employees and the general public.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, applicants, contractors, and other stakeholders, working collaboratively with Department staff, and other departments.
• Enforce codes and regulations with firmness and tact.
• Organize and write accurate and detailed reports and to maintain paper and computer-based records.
• Use a computer, including proficiency with relevant software applications, as well as smartphones, cell phone, iPads, and tablets to efficiently complete tasks and communicate effectively.
• Respond as needed for inspections outside of normal business hours.
• Make use of employer provided resources to obtain and/or maintain required certification.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school plus seven (7) years of experience in building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing inspection and plan review work, including:
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional field experience as a plumbing, electrical, building, or mechanical inspector, inspecting for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional plan review experience in one or more of the trade areas for a government agency with building code enforcement responsibility.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience supervising building inspectors or plans reviewers for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.
• Possession of a valid Standard Certificate as Building Code Administrator from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute Chapter 468.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• State certification in one (1) discipline such as General, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical or Building Contractor with documented field supervisory experience or registration as an Architect or Professional Engineer with documented project management experience preferred.
• Certified Floodplain Manager, Association of State Floodplain Manager or equivalent certification.
• One (1) or more Fire Safety Inspector certifications, Florida State Fire College.

• Three (3) or more years of experience supervising building inspectors or plans reviewers for a government agency or government consultant with building code enforcement responsibility.

• Possession of a valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with no more than six (6) points in a three (3) year period.
• Possession of a valid Standard Certificate as Building Code Administrator from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute Chapter 468.
• Ability to occasionally work outside of traditional business hours.

POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Certification/License Verification
• Motor Vehicle Report (